SCHOOL FUNDING--Senate President Richard Finan, R-Cincinnati, speaks with reporters after meeting with Gov. Bob Taft, House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, and Budget Director Tom Johnson, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001. Finan said that a school funding bill will be the first item of business for the 124th General Assembly. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)